Gigafactory exceeds promised employment, state says

The Governor's Office of Economic Development issued a report Wednesday saying there were 7,059 people working in the Tesla/Panasonic gigafactory east of Reno as of June 30.

In addition, GOED officials say the project has resulted in an additional 8,200 jobs in other local businesses thanks to the estimated $6.6 billion investment those companies made.

Gov. Brian Sandoval said that exceeds the promises Tesla and Panasonic made they would employ 5,000 people at the factory that produces high tech batteries for electric vehicles and home power supplies.

GOED officials said at an average $25.78 an hour wage, the factory generates an annual payroll of $378.6 million and an estimated economic impact of $2.2 billion.